By implementing two key smart technologies for building management and district cooling, the amount of energy required for cooling can be reduced by up to 40 per cent, says Siemens, a global technology powerhouse.
    
“Cooling is considered to be responsible for approximately 70 per cent of the GCC’s electricity demand during peak summer months, so it’s extremely important that we evaluate the entire cooling chain to identify where technology can generate savings,” said Koen Bogers, senior executive vice president, Building Technologies Division, Siemens Middle East.

“Digital technologies have huge potential to make our cities more sustainable, and we have proved it is possible to almost halve the energy used for cooling by applying two technologies to the supply and demand sides.”

Siemens Demand Flow technology uses specialised algorithms to optimise the entire chilled water system of a cooling plant, delivering energy savings of between 15 and 30 per cent. By simplifying operations, increasing the cooling capacity and improving efficiency, the system is able to reduce flow in periods of lesser demand, lowering operation and maintenance costs and significantly lowering energy use. The system is already in place at the Wafi Mall in Dubai.

The second technology, Desigo CC, is a building management platform which reduces energy usage by controlling and optimising a building’s systems, including ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting, shading, fire safety and security services. The impact on a typical building is a saving of between 10 and 25 per cent of the energy required for cooling. Earlier versions of the Desigo building management platform have been implemented in numerous buildings across the Middle East, including Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, Qatar’s Tornado Tower, the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai and Siemens’ own regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City.

“Cooling amounts to some 70 per cent of an average building’s electricity bill in the GCC, and aside from the clear environmental benefits there is also a very strong business case for these types of technology,” says Bogers. “For example, at Dubai’s Wafi Mall our Demand Flow solution achieved a 30 per cent saving on utility costs in its first year, representing an annual cost saving of some $439,000 with a guaranteed payback period of two-and-a-half years.”

Siemens Building Technologies Division is a world market leader for safe, energy-efficient and environment-friendly buildings and infrastructure. It offers products, solutions and services that optimise the energy costs, reliability, comfort and performance of buildings while meeting ecological and sustainability requirements.

As a technology partner, consultant, service provider, system integrator and product supplier, Siemens offers fire safety, security, building automation, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) as well as energy management products and services. - TradeArabia News Service